Customer Reviews

Grumpy Old Men [VHS]

5 star:		(62)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

I knew one day Warner Bros. would put these great movies in Widescreen and thus, help me add them to my shelves. But today is not that day! After seeing this advertised as Widescreen on this website and the Warner Home Video website, I was beside myself with glee and anticipation. I went to four different stores in California, and found that each time I went to purchase, the back of the DVD read, Includes full screen version. Confused I bought it anyway. Thinking maybe the back was a mis-print? Or maybe it meant, includes widescreen and full screen. I was wrong... On both counts! So when I contacted Warner Home Video, and nasty Nurse Ratched answered the phone and told me that "If I didn't buy it on their website then what did they care that it was being advertised wrongfully", I knew that these movies would not find a place on my DVD shelves anytime soon.
Buyer beware! This is not only being advertised wrongly but, no one will care once you purchased it!

This review refers to the Warner Bros VHS of "Grumpy Old Men"..

One "Putz", one "Moron", and an eternal Sex Kitten, melt the Minnesota snows as well as your heart in this too fun flick that reunites the late great comedy team of, Jack Lemmon(the"Putz") and Walter Matthau(the "Moron").

They are neighbors John Gustafson and Max Goldman who have been taking swipes and snipes at each other for over 50 years. The gags and gaglines will have you rolling with laughter, as the curmudgeons' feud heats up snowed-in Minnesota, when the beautiful, free-spirited widowed Ariel(Ann Margret) moves in across the street.They'll do whatever it takes to outdo the other for her affections, but when near tragedy strikes, there is no question of their affection for each other.

Joining in the fun is Burgess Meredith, as the hysterically lecherous father of Lemmon(cover the kids ears when he's in the scene), Darryl Hannah and Kevin Pollack, their kids, who may also realize the feelings they've had for each other since the third grade, the wonderful Ozzie Davis, and the always brillant Buck Henry. It was directed by Donald Petrie, with music by Alan Silvestri.
The laughs don't end here though..as there is an equally funny sequel "Grumpier Old Men", with much of the same cast and the addition of the legendary and gorgeous Sophia Loren.

The VHS has a nice clear picture and is recorded in hi-fi. There's a great soundtrack including a wonderful rendition of "We're Having A Heat Wave" by Ella Fitzgerald. It is in a standard format. I did not see it avaiable with the choice of the theatrical release form, which would have been nice with all that snowy scenery(My only reason for four stars). This a memorable Lemmon/Matthau film and you'll love it in any format though.

We'll always have their wonderful films to make us laugh..have fun with this one....Laurie....P.S. Don't miss the laugh out loud outakes during the credits, stay till the very end!

more fun stuff recommended:
Northern Exposure Seasons 1 - 4 DVD Bundle
Goin' South
Captain Jack

I've been waiting for years since the LaserDisc release.
What's up with this. Advertised as WS, but on the back clearly states FS.

As Ray Davies said ... "Give the People what they want!"

WE DON'T WANT THIS

I must respond to the negative comments concerning the DVD format...Are we really going to condemn 2 fine films just because they're not available in widescreen?? The back clearly states "in fullscreen", so we can't claim we were "duped". Plus, I checked my old separate collections of each film, and they were also in fullscreen--nothing ventured, nothing gained!
Just kick back and enjoy the work of 2 masterful actors who have since left us; the lovely/saucy presence of Ann-Margret (and later, Sophia Loren); plus, the scene-stealing "dirty old man" Burgess Meredith.
However, it would've been nice to have a "making of.." featurette or cast & crew interviews.

This is just ridiculous. The movies ARE in full screen. I called Warner Home Video and some obnoxious woman answered. I explained it was full screen and being advertised as widescreen. She said "did you buy it from OUR website" and I said, the upc matched the one in the store. It is the same item and it IS being falsely advertised. Warners is just trying to make a quick buck off this one.She refused to even pass along the information. California is getting a call tomorrow for sure!

OK, so we had the original release in fullscreen, then the box set in fullscreen, and now finally the widescreen but with both movies on a single disc! There is obviously no space for all of the extras and outtakes that you will want to see from this cast. Why does Warner continues to jerk us around? Because folks buy it when it comes out initially, then they buy again when Warner double-dips with the "special edition" or some such nonsense title. This time, they are going for the triple-dip. Send them a message by not purchasing this title.

Being a thirty-something woman, I thought, how could I possibly find a movie about two grumpy old men funny? Turns out, VERY EASILY! If I could give this movie TEN STARS, I would! This has to be my all-time, favorite comedy. Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau are at it again; creating that perfect "odd-couple" chemistry. This time, the story is set in snowy Minnesota, with Lemmon and Matthau, (two old-time rivals), competing for the attentions of the refreshingly eccentric, yet extremely attractive widow, who has just moved into their neighborhood. The writing in this film is excellent; the actor's comedic timing is pure genius, and the zingers never seem to stop! This movie is a classic! Don't be a putz - buy it today!

Just picked it up today and couldn't wait to view...
The bad news first..
no bonus features...just a trailer. The good news? It is FINALLY in widescreen!! Now...the picture quality is what I was really wondering about. Its tough to judge because I don't know the source material but I think this is as good as they could do and frankly given the age of the actors , too sharp much of the time! I should say that its mostly available light looking and mostly drab and overcast so I think its pretty good as blu-rays go. I paid a bit over $10 and I'm delighted...sure I'd have been happy for some PR interviews the actors did as bonus items but for a crisp and finally Widescreen version of this movie I'm happy. Oh..I didn't bother to review the movie its been done enough....with Lemmon, Matthau, Meredith, Davis and Buck Henry ,not to mention nice support from Hannah and Pollak...at least a minor classic.

warner's has sunk to a new level to exploit consumers. this warner's stated "widescreen" version is 16x9 or fullscreen (made to fit you tv). i guess if you've already purchased the other releases of this, you'll be up to 5 or 6 copies in your collection when warner's decides they've tricked you as many times as is still profitable, and really releases a widescreen version. this is beyond shameful, and i hope there's some truth to other people's statements of warner's getting sued. someone should be out there helping to protect consumers from companies like this.

Grumpy Old Men is probably one of the best movies of both Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau and the DVD for this funny, delightful movie should also be available in the original aspect ratio in wide-screen not just in the edited full-screen. There are movies that are really very awful that have wide-screen DVDs but a really very good movie like this doesn't and that's just not right! The 1 star is for the crummy DVD not the movie! I was excited when I saw that there was another DVD edition and I clicked on the link thinking that finaly a wide.screen DVD was made but to my disappointment it was just this and the sequel in one package and still both movies in full.screen! BOO!